Apparatus and method for metering and monitoring print usage at non-network printers

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a printer component for monitoring usage on non-network printers. The printer component includes a desktop component installed on a network computer to which a non-network printer is attached. The desktop component is for obtaining printer status information from each non-network printer attached to the network computer. The printer component also includes a server component installed on an external server. During installation of the desktop component, a job listener is attached to the network computer to obtain printer status information for each non-network printer. When the desktop component obtains printer status information, a socket server is started to listen to a port and return non-network printer objects. The server component mergers information obtained from the desktop component with previously stored printer information to provide printer status information for all network and non-network printers within an enterprise.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for meteringand monitoring print usages at non-network printers within an enterpriseand for reporting information obtained into a system for consolidatingand responding to real-time enterprise printing information.

2. Description of the Related Art

Computer networks in an enterprise/organization typically includecomputer systems and peripherals, such as printers, connected to thecomputer systems. Organizations rely on printers for carrying out dailyoperations. An inoperative printer, due to failure or to the lack ofcomponents such as toner, can disrupt operations, and waste time andresources. Thus, organizations often desire to determine the extent ofusage of a printer to prevent disruptions.

Computer networks typically include network printers that are connecteddirectly to the computer network, such that the network printers may beshared by multiple users. Computer networks may also include multiplenon-network printers that are connected to one or more individualcomputers, such that the non-network printers are used by only thecomputers to which it is connected. Due to the fact that non-networkprinters are not directly accessible via the computer network,contemporary methods of usage monitoring over the network are notapplicable.

Usage of a printer is typically determined by the page count. Pages canbe counted manually by sending service personnel to each printing deviceto procure the page counts via typical means, such as executing aprinter test page. This procedure requires a considerable amount ofmanpower and is costly. Additionally, this procedure can be inaccuratedue to human errors. One contemporary attempt to provide more accuracyin monitoring printer usage employs the counting of power surges at theprinter to determine the number of pages printed. This method requiresthat every printer utilizes a a stepper motor to advance sheets of paperduring printing. Pulsing of each of the coils of the stepper motorresults in pulses in the supply current which is to be detected by aseparate detection circuit. The detection circuit is operably connectedto both a power supply of the printer and a data collection unit. Thismethod suffers from the drawback of being limited to particular types ofprinters, as well as, inaccuracies in attempting to detect power surgescaused only by the coils of the stepper motor during printing. Thismethod suffers from further drawback of requiring costly hardware forevery printer in order to detect the power surges and transmit datarepresentative of the power surges for calculation of the printer usage.

Additionally, contemporary systems that rely on only print counts, donot account for fluctuations in the use of consumable components, suchas ink or toner. Usage of consumable components is typically dependenton the type of print job that has occurred. In environments that performlarge print jobs, the necessity to re-print the job because of aninadequate amount of ink resulting in a poor quality of the print job,can be time consuming and costly. It is undesirable to replaceconsumable components during busy print times, especially whereparticular print-jobs are time sensitive. Attempting to estimateconsumption of consumable components based upon printer usage is usuallyinaccurate for the reasons described above. Additionally, over-estimatesof usage of the consumable component is costly. Moreover, supplies forsuch consumable components can take time to procure resulting in furtherdisruptions.

In order to accurately service all of the printers within theenterprise, there is a need to accurately determine the usage of bothnetwork and non-network printers. There are currently monitoring systemsfor monitoring the usage of network printers. However, these systemstypically cannot discover non-network printers. While there are alsomonitoring systems that monitor the usage of non-network printers, thesesystems have been unable to accurately count prints and monitor printerusage on computers that are attached to two or more non-networkprinters. For example, if a computer system is attached to non-networkprinters and the computer executes a print command for multipleduplicate print batches, for example, five copies of a five pagedocument, these systems typically count the number of copies printed forthat print command as five pages instead of twenty five pages. Thesesystems also cannot monitor ink usage for non-network printerseffectively. Therefore, these systems do not accurately report when inkcartridges need to be changed and/or the amount of ink remaining in acurrently used ink cartridge.

What is needed, therefore, is a process of collecting accurate data onprinter usage of both network and non-network printers within anenterprise in order to accurately predict inventory requirements and tomaintain peak performance on all printers within the enterprise.

SUMMARY

The invention relates to a printer component for monitoring usage onnon-network printers. The printer component includes a desktop componentinstalled on a network computer to which a non-network printer isattached. The desktop component is for obtaining printer statusinformation from each non-network printer attached to the networkcomputer. The printer component also includes a server componentinstalled on an external server. The server component is configured topatrol the computer network to identify each desktop component and torequest printer status information for each non-network printer. Duringinstallation of the desktop component, a job listener is attached to thenetwork computer to obtain printer status information for eachnon-network printer. When printer status information is obtained fromthe desktop component, a socket server is started to listen to a portand return non-network printer objects. The server component mergersinformation obtained from the desktop component with previously storedprinter information to provide printer status information for allnetwork and non-network printers within an enterprise.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method formonitoring usage on non-network printers. The method includes attachinga job listener to a desktop component installed on a network computer toobtain printer status information for each non-network printer. Themethod also includes obtaining printer status information from thedesktop component installed on the network computer to which anon-network printer is attached, by starting a socket server to listento a port and return non-network printer objects, the printer statusinformation being for each non-network printer attached to the networkcomputer. The method also includes patrolling, by a server componentinstalled on an external server, the computer network to identify eachdesktop component and to request printer status information for eachnon-network printer. The method further includes merging, by the servercomponent, information obtained from the desktop component withpreviously stored printer information to provide printer statusinformation for all network and non-network printers within anenterprise.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a computer programproduct embodied on a computer readable medium, the computer programproduct being configured to execute a method for monitoring usage onnon-network printers. The method includes attaching a job listener to adesktop component installed on a network computer to obtain printerstatus information for each non-network printer. The method alsoincludes obtaining printer status information from the desktop componentinstalled on the network computer to which a non-network printer isattached, by starting a socket server to listen to a port and returnnon-network printer objects, the printer status information being foreach non-network printer attached to the network computer. The methodalso includes patrolling, by a server component installed on an externalserver, the computer network to identify each desktop component and torequest printer status information for each non-network printer. Themethod further includes merging, by the server component, informationobtained from the desktop component with previously stored printerinformation to provide printer status information for all network andnon-network printers within an enterprise.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to an apparatus formonitoring usage on non-network printers. The apparatus includesattaching means for attaching a job listener to a desktop componentinstalled on a network computer to obtain printer status information foreach non-network printer. The apparatus also includes obtaining meansfor obtaining printer status information from the desktop componentinstalled on the network computer to which a non-network printer isattached, by starting a socket server to listen to a port and returnnon-network printer objects, the printer status information being foreach non-network printer attached to the network computer. The apparatusalso includes patrolling means for patrolling, by a server componentinstalled on an external server, the computer network to identify eachdesktop component and to request printer status information for eachnon-network printer. The apparatus further includes merging means formerging, by the server component, information obtained from the desktopcomponent with previously stored printer information to provide printerstatus information for all network and non-network printers within anenterprise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention thattogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a print management system in whichembodiments of the present invention may be implemented;

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a non-shared desktop printer (NSDP)local application which is installed on each of computers 116 that isconnected to at least one non-network printer 114; and

FIG. 3 illustrates the steps implemented which the NSDP agent isexecuted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made to the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a print management system in whichembodiments of the present invention may be implemented. System 100includes a data processing system 102 in communication with one or moreclients 104. It should be noted that although FIG. 1 illustrates twoclients 104 a and 104 b, system 100 may be configured to include anynumber of clients 104. Data processing system 102 may include a webserver 106, an application server 108, a database 110 and a firewall112. Data communicated from clients 104 to data processing system 102passes through firewall 112 via web server 110. Processing and storageof data into data base 110 is provided by application server 108.Database 110 can be any conventional data storage system or methodologythat can store and reproduce data for use by application server 108 orother processing systems that are capable of manipulation orcommunication of data. Each of clients 104 includes one or morenon-network printers 114 that are coupled to computers 116. Client 104also includes one or more network printers 118 that are coupled vianetwork 120. Thus, FIG. 1 illustrates non-network printer 114 connectedto a desktop computer 116 and two network printers 118; however, itshould be understood that the particular configuration of network andnon-network printers, computers and other devices, as well as theconfiguration of the network itself, can vary, while still being withinthe scope of the present disclosure.

The method of communication between data processing system 102 and eachof clients 104 can vary, such as, for example, over the Internet. In oneembodiment, the method of communication between data processing system102 and clients 104 can be over the World Wide Web (WWW) via HypertextTransfer Protocol (HTTP). In an embodiment of printing management system100, a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) scheme is utilized for thecommunication between data processing system 102 and clients 104. TheURI scheme provides encryption and/or authentication requirements forthe transfer of data. HTTPS may be utilized for communication betweendata processing system 102 and clients 102 so that an additionalencryption/authentication layer is utilized between HTTP and theTransmission Control Protocol (TCP). However, the present disclosurecontemplates the use of other schemes, methods and devices forretrieving or delivering data and otherwise communicating between dataprocessing system 102 and clients 104, including wireless communicationand hard wired communications.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a non-shared desktop printer (NSDP)local agent application. NSDP local agent 200 enables a printer serviceprovider to meter and monitor non-network printers so that the printerservice provider can consolidate printer information across an entireenterprise. NSDP local agent 200 includes a desktop machine component210, which is installed on each computer 116 that is connected to atleast one non-network printer 114, and a location server component 220,which is installed on an external location server 300. Desktop machinecomponent 210 obtains printer status information from each non-networkprinter connected to a computer 116 on which desktop machine component210 is installed. Location server component 220 patrols the computernetwork after a specific time interval to locate desktop machinecomponent 210. When location server component 220 identifies desktopmachine component 210, location server component 220 requests specificinformation from desktop machine component 210. Desktop machinecomponent 210 provides the required information which location servercomponent 220 may convert to XML and location server component 220merges the converted information with previously stored printerinformation.

Desktop machine component 210 includes an application programminginterface (API) 204, an intermediate layer 206 and an upper layer 208.API 204 may be any source code interface which supports requests forservices and provides numerous structures for returning informationabout computer 116 and the peripherals, such as non-network printers114, attached to computer 116. For example, these structures may be usedto obtain information on the non-network printers 114 status, conditionand service. Specifically, in an embodiment of the invention, API 204obtains a list of all non-network printers 114, attaches an observer toeach non-network printer 114, creates a status and page count file foreach non-network printer 114, where the page count file is updated whena page is printed by non-network printer 114. In an embodiment of theinvention, API 204 is implemented in a programming language, such asC++, and it is bundled as an EXE file. API layer 204 is attached tointermediate layer 206 which is further attached to upper layer 208.

In an embodiment of the invention, a Windows API layer 204, such asWin32 API, is used at the API layer 204. Win32 API layer 204 can bedeveloped in Visual C++ or other programming languages. Win32 API layer204 extracts data related to the non-network printers 114. In theexemplary embodiment, a dynamic-link library (DLL) file is thedeliverable of Win32 API layer 204.

Intermediate layer 206 of desktop machine component 210 may be a JavaNative Interface (JNI) that allows Java code running in a Java virtualmachine to call and be called by native applications. JNI Layer 206 canreceive data from Win32 API layer 204 and populate the Java object withthe data.

Upper layer or Remote Method Invocation (RMI) Layer 208 is implementedin a programming language, such as Java. RMI layer 208 reads theinformation from files created by API layer 204, transforms theinformation to a Java object, and sends the Java objects to locationserver component 220. When NSDP local agent 200 runs a service, aprocess in RMI layer 208 runs a RMI service and registers the RMIservice in a RMI registry with a specific name. This service exposes amethod which returns the Java objects including information about theattached NSDP printers 114 to the location server component 220. In anembodiment of the invention, RMI service 208 exposes a single method.This service 208 receives NSDP data from the respective machines 116 inthe form of Java objects. The RMI service is thread safe.

As noted above, location server component 220 patrols the computernetwork after a specific time interval to locate non-network printers114. Location server component 220 is a Java RMI client. Location servercomponent 220 looks up the RMI service 208, in the RMI registry withspecified name, within a provided IP range for each IP address. Iflocation server component 220 finds a response from desktop machinecomponent 210 at an IP address, it retrieves the required non-networkprinter information and stores the retrieved information in an XML filewhich is later uploaded to an external print counts server.

Location server component 220 includes an XML data source 212 whichfetches data from Java object and writes the data to the XML file. XMLdata source 212 may include an XML parser which fetches data from a Javaobject and writes the data to a XML file. The XML parser can read an XMLdocument, identify all the XML tags and upload the data to the dataprocessing system 100. As described above, data processing system 100includes application server 108 and database 110 that provides forstorage, and allows for manipulation, of all relevant data for theclients 104. Based upon this data, the clients 104 are made aware ofprinter usage and consumable resource or component usage. The data canbe used for other purposes and manipulated accordingly, such asutilizing the data for work flow efficiency analysis within theorganization.

An embodiment of the present invention includes an NSDP Version Updaterwhich includes a NSDP Version Update Server (VUS) and NSDP VersionUpdate Client (VUC). When configured with default parameters the NSDPVersion Updater runs as a backend process. A NSDP configuration fileincludes information for a HTTP server running the NSDP version service.NSDP Version Updater looks for an update at the HTTP server after aconfigurable interval of time. If it finds an update, NSDP VersionUpdater downloads a patch.

The VUS uses Java servelet as version update server. The latest versioninformation is kept in an XML file that includes major versioninformation, minor version information, a name of a patch file, the sizeof the patch file and the destination of the patch file. NSDP VUC is aSwing based desktop application equipped with a built in HTTP client. Ithas an XML file which includes a current major version, a current minorversion, and a configuration file including an address or URL of theversion update server, the frequency of a version update check and anapplication ID and password.

After a specified interval of time, VUC requests a version check fromthe VUS servlet. This check is implemented as a HTTPS request whichincludes the current version information and the application identifierand password. The VUS authenticates the call and compares the versionwith available version. If the available version is later than thecurrent version, VUS responds with a patch including a size and versioninformation. VUC triggers a graphical user interface based on thisrequest. The swing-based graphical user interface shows details ofavailable version and requests that a user accepts the patch. Afteracceptance is confirmed, the VUC downloads, unzips and installs thepatch. Then the VUC starts the NSDP service on underlying machine 210.In an embodiment of the invention, the VUC is configurable to withdrawuser intervention. In that case patch is automatically downloaded andinstalled.

The NSDP agent 200 is, therefore, software which includes a combinationof a Microsoft Windows Dynamic Linked Library (DLL) written in C++ and asocket based Java client written in the Java programming language. TheJava program interacts with the Win32 API using the Java NativeInterface (JNI) mechanism. The Win32 API is used to communicate with theMicrosoft Windows registry to obtain information about locally attachedprinters 114.

As is known to those skilled in the art, not all printer models providemeter reads or page count. For these models, NSDP agent 200 invokes ajob listener that places a status file locally on each computer 116 forevery non-network printer 114. The status file includes a page countnumber for each page printed, after the installation of NSDP agent 200.When NSDP agent 200 is installed, the initial value of the page countnumber is zero. However, the value of the page count number it isincremented each time a page is printed on a non-network printer 114.

Non-network printers 114 provide a means to obtain an updated status oneach print job. Thus, the job listener also updates the toner status inthe status file. A Patrol application continuously polls NSDP agents 200to obtain the toner status. Whenever a low toner is detected, the Patrolapplication sends a notification to an alerts database. NSDP agent 200can handle multiple non-network printers 114 attached to a singleworkstation 116. Each non-network printer is uniquely identified by acombination of the MAC address associated with the printer, the make andthe model.

FIG. 3 illustrates the steps implemented which the NSDP agent isexecuted. In step 3010, a job listeners is added to non-networkprinters. Specifically, an appropriate instance is created and an addlistener method is invoked. Native add printer listener methods are alsoinvoked. All the non-network printers attached to a machine arediscovered. A thread is associated with each printer and executed sothat the thread listens to the job queue and printer status and everychange is the printer status is noted in a filed associated with theprinter. In Step 3020, the printer status information is obtained fromthe desktop component installed on the network computer to which anon-network printer is attached. The printer status information is foreach non-network printer attached to the network computer by starting asocket server to listen to a port and return non-network printerobjects. Specifically, a server socket is created at port 2006 and anappropriate instance is created. A discover method is called to locateall NSDP agents. The discover method gathers the name, model, type,status, life meter and hardware identifier for each printer. Ifinformation is not available from a printer information object of Win32API 204, the page count is retrieved from listener file. The printerstatus is also obtained from listener file. In Step 3030, a servercomponent installed on an external server patrols the computer networkto identify each desktop component and to request printer statusinformation for each non-network printer. In Step 3040, the servercomponent merges information obtained from the desktop component withpreviously stored printer information to provide printer statusinformation for all network and non-network printers within anenterprise.

In an exemplary embodiment, at pre-determined time intervals, a daemonor the like can be used to invoke RMI client layer 208 to communicatedata from the client 104 to the external location server. A propertyfile may be used for storing characteristics pertaining to the externallocation server to facilitate and/or enable communication with theexternal location server. During a first time period, after NSDP localagent application 200 confirms that the external location server isoperating, NSDP local agent application 200 sends data to the externallocation server. If, at the first predetermined time, NSDP local agentapplication 200 determines that the external location server 400 is notoperating then application 200 communicates the data at anotherpre-determined time. It should be noted that the time intervals at whichthe daemon invokes RMI client layer 208 to communicate data to theexternal location server may vary to control the flow of data. Theability to vary the time interval is advantageous where the printingsystem or its workload has changed, such as if the client 104 hasincreased the number of printers or there has been a large increase inthe number of print jobs being performed by one or more of the printers.In such instances, it can be advantageous to change the time interval tobetter control the flow of data and allow for timely calculations ofprinter and/or resource usage. The present disclosure also contemplatesdata communication between the RMI client layer 208 and the locationserver being in real-time, on demand, and a combination of two or moreof real-time, pre-determined time intervals and on-demand communication.

Based upon printing management system 100 and the process implementedtherein, the clients 104 can have their printing needs managed andmaintained with minimal or no interruption in printing operation.Clients 104 can be advised of the need for service and/or resourcereplacement based upon the data that is being tracked for the entireprinting operation, including the non-network and network printers. Thedata collected and stored can be further manipulated by the dataprocessing system 100 to provide for usage warnings, service scheduling,operation improvement and the like.

The present invention may be realized in hardware, software, or acombination of hardware and software. The present invention may berealized in a centralized fashion in one computer system or in adistributed fashion where different elements are spread across severalinterconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or otherapparatus configured to carry out the methods described herein issuited. A typical combination of hardware and software may be a generalpurpose computer system with a computer program that, when loaded andexecuted, controls the computer system such that it carries out themethods described herein.

It should be appreciated by one skilled in art, that the presentinvention may be utilized in any computer network configuration wherethere are non-network and network printers, as described above. Theforegoing description has been directed to specific embodiments of thisinvention. It will be apparent; however, that other variations andmodifications may be made to the described embodiments, with theattainment of some or all of their advantages. Therefore, it is theobject of the appended claims to cover all such variations andmodifications as come within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A printer component for monitoring usage on non-network printers,comprising: a desktop component installed on a network computer to whicha non-network printer is attached, the desktop component being forobtaining printer status information from each non-network printerattached to the network computer; and a server component installed on anexternal server, the server component being configured to patrol thecomputer network to identify each desktop component and to requestprinter status information for each non-network printer, wherein duringinstallation of the desktop component a job listener is attached to thenetwork computer to obtain printer status information for eachnon-network printer, wherein when the desktop component obtains printerstatus, a socket server is started to listen to a port and returnnon-network printer objects, and wherein the server component mergersinformation obtained from the desktop component with previously storedprinter information to provide printer status information for allnetwork and non-network printers within an enterprise.
 2. The printercomponent of claim 1, wherein the desktop component comprises: anapplication layer interface which supports requests for services andprovides numerous structures for returning information about the networkcomputer and the peripherals attached to the network computer; anintermediate layer configured to connect the application layer interfacewith an upper layer; and the upper layer configured to read filescreated by the application layer interface, to transform informationfrom the file into objects and to send the objects to the servercomponent.
 3. The printer component of claim 2, wherein the structuresmay be used to obtain information on the non-network printer status,condition and service.
 4. The printer component of claim 2, wherein theapplication layer interface is configured to attach an observer to eachnon-network printer and to create a status and page count file for eachnon-network printer, wherein the page count file is updated when a pageis printed by the non-network printer.
 5. The printer component of claim2, wherein the upper layer is configured to run a service and registerthe service in a registry with a specific name.
 6. The printer componentof claim 5, wherein the server component is configured to look up theservice in the register within a provided IP range for each IP address.7. The printer component of claim 1, wherein the server componentincludes a data source which fetches data from an object and writes thedata to a file.
 8. The printer component of claim 7, wherein the datasource is an XML data source which comprises an XML parser for fetchingdata from an object and writing the data to an XML file.
 9. The printercomponent of claim 1, further comprising a version updater whichcomprises an update server and an update client.
 10. The printercomponent of claim 2, wherein the application layer interface isconfigured to attach an observer to each non-network printer to obtaintoner status.
 11. A method for monitoring usage on non-network printers,comprising: attaching a job listener to a desktop component installed ona network computer to obtain printer status information for eachnon-network printer; obtaining printer status information from thedesktop component installed on the network computer to which anon-network printer is attached, by starting a socket server to listento a port and return non-network printer objects, the printer statusinformation being for each non-network printer attached to the networkcomputer; patrolling, by a server component installed on an externalserver, the computer network to identify each desktop component and torequest printer status information for each non-network printer; andmerging, by the server component, information obtained from the desktopcomponent with previously stored printer information to provide printerstatus information for all network and non-network printers within anenterprise.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: providing,in the desktop component, an application layer interface for supportingrequests for services and providing numerous structures for returninginformation about the network computer and the peripherals attached tothe network computer; providing, in the desktop component, anintermediate layer for connecting the application layer interface withan upper layer; and providing, in the desktop component, the upper layerfor reading files created by the application layer interface, fortransforming information from the file into objects and for sending theobjects to the server component.
 13. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising using the structures to obtain information on the non-networkprinter status, condition and service.
 14. The method of claim 12,further comprising, attaching an observer to each non-network printerand creating a status and page count file for each non-network printer,wherein the page count file is updated when a page is printed by thenon-network printer.
 15. The method of claim 12, further comprisingrunning a service, in the upper layer, and registering the service in aregistry with a specific name.
 16. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising looking up, in the server component, the service in theregister within a provided IP range for each IP address.
 17. The methodof claim 11, further comprising including in the server component, adata source which fetches data from an object and writes the data to afile.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the data source is an XML datasource which comprises an XML parser for fetching data from an objectand writing the data to an XML file.
 19. The method of claim 21, furthercomprising attaching an observer to each non-network printer to obtaintoner status.
 20. A computer program product embodied on a computerreadable medium, the computer program product being configured toexecute a method for monitoring usage on non-network printers,comprising: attaching a job listener to a desktop component installed ona network computer to obtain printer status information for eachnon-network printer; obtaining printer status information from thedesktop component installed on the network computer to which anon-network printer is attached, by starting a socket server to listento a port and return non-network printer objects, the printer statusinformation being for each non-network printer attached to the networkcomputer; patrolling, by a server component installed on an externalserver, the computer network to identify each desktop component and torequest printer status information for each non-network printer; andmerging, by the server component, information obtained from the desktopcomponent with previously stored printer information to provide printerstatus information for all network and non-network printers within anenterprise.
 21. An apparatus for monitoring usage on non-networkprinters, comprising: attaching means for attaching a job listener to adesktop component installed on a network computer to obtain printerstatus information for each non-network printer; obtaining printerstatus information from the desktop component installed on the networkcomputer to which a non-network printer is attached, by starting asocket server to listen to a port and return non-network printerobjects, the printer status information being for each non-networkprinter attached to the network computer; patrolling means forpatrolling, by a server component installed on an external server, thecomputer network to identify each desktop component and to requestprinter status information for each non-network printer; and mergingmeans for merging, by the server component, information obtained fromthe desktop component with previously stored printer information toprovide printer status information for all network and non-networkprinters within an enterprise.